Poolcare 101 Morning Show - Tuesday, September 24, 2002
The only pool care TV show, featuring pool expert Judd Smith.

Can you believe it? Summer is almost gone. Soon the weather will turn cold and we will be ice skating on our frozen swimming pools; perfecting our figure-8s, with our scarves blowing in the breeze. Sound like a great idea? Too good to be true? Well it is. The water rarely gets below 50 degrees in December. But lucky for us, we can enjoy such a fun sport at the local ice rink.

I would like to say thanks for tuning in to News Channel 3, Good Morning Arizona. Arizona's best morning news team and variety program. Today we talked about things you could do to your swimming pool in the winter months. It is a perfect time to complete those much-needed repairs after another harsh summer of scorching heat.

Let's go over things we did on today's show.

Pool Draining
A pool suffers from a great amount of evaporation during the summer; especially if you have a waterfall. The hardness of the water increases and has a negative effect on your water. Since our water evaporates at such a fast rate, calcium hardness and other solids will accumulate and make the water very "hard". The hardness cannot be removed unless the pool is drained. We recommend the pool be drained every 2 years to get rid of the hardness. This can be done with a submersible pump. Do not use your pool pump. It could burn out. Make sure the power to your pump is turned off at the breaker. Never drain your plaster pool until the outside air temperature is less than 80 degrees. Also, fill your pool immediately once it is drained (otherwise the plaster may begin to crack). Special Note: We are in the middle of a drought. The pool industry is asking that you do not drain your pool unless absolutely necessary. Have your water checked by your local pool retailer. Conserve water to help Arizona and neighboring states. Thank You!

Filter Cleaning
Sand Filters- A sand filter is filled with silica sand and is the most simple to operate. We looked inside the filter and saw the internal components. The laterals (which resemble a wagon wheel) are made of delicate plastic and can break very easily. We recommend the sand be changed in the filter every 5 years in a residential application. The sand can become worn or channeled, and the dirt can eventually pass right through the sand and go back into the pool. If you are not sure how old your sand is, we recommend you have it replaced, then begin keeping track. Backwashing a sand filter is the easiest of the 3 filter types to clean.

DE Filters
The diatamacious earth (DE) filter is in our opinion, the best performing filter available. They require a bit more maintenance than a sand filter, but are able to trap smaller particles. The result is crystal-clear water. The DE filter must be re-coated with DE after it is backwashed. The backwash leaves a white residue (DE powder). The grids inside require periodic cleaning and inspection.

Caution Notes
We recommend having a qualified service technician perform maintenance on your filters. Assembly is critical for safe operation. When the pump is operating, the filter is under extreme pressure. If not assembled properly, the filter could rupture and cause serious injury or even death. Don't take chances. Hire a qualified technician to do the job. Also observe all warnings on filtering media (i.e. DE powder or silica sand). They can be hazardous to your health

Tile Cleaning
Just about every pool will eventually get a "bathtub ring" at the waterline. This is due to evaporation, which always leaves behind minerals and deposits. Did you know the average pool can loose up to 4 inches of water a week in the summertime? There is no product on the market that I have found that can successfully remove calcium (many claims are made, but no proven results in my 15-year career). Calcium must be removed by mechanical means; not by chemicals. The pumice stone works very well. There are 2 drawbacks, however. First, it is very labor-intensive. It could take you days to get around the entire pool, but it CAN be done. We recommend you wear gloves so you don't get blisters. The second drawback is that you will use many stones. It depends on how much buildup you have, but plan on buying a bunch. You may want to try the stone first on a non-conspicuous place to make sure it does not damage the tile. Look for scratching or discoloration. You be the judge at what looks better; the calcium buildup, or a few minor scratches.

Another way to clean the tile is by using our glass beading process. We have a trailer-mounted machine that we use to remove the calcium. The process usually takes a couple of hours from start to finish. The price starts at $2.50/foot. We will give you a free estimate.

Deck Resurfacing
Tired of your old cool deck? Is it chipping away in several places? Is it stained or discolored? We have a solution. Have an acrylic overlay applied to it. This will revitalize your deck and bring it into the 21st century. There are several designs, colors and patterns to choose from. Contact us and we can give you a free estimate.

Pool Resurfacing
How is the inside of the pool looking these days? Time for a fresh new look? If you haven't been out shopping for pool interior surfaces lately, brace yourself for more selection, color and texture than ever before. We offer several varieties to choose from. We have evaluated most finishes and have chosen a handful of, what we feel, is the best quality and value available. We offer the complete line of Pebble Tec, Pebble Sheen, and 3M products. These are original products; not imitations. When shopping for interior finishes, compare warranty, price and overall customer service. What is in writing? (and what is not?). Be a smart consumer. Need an estimate? Call us. Estimates are always free.

Tahitian Firelights
Did you get a chance to see the new product offered exclusively by Tahitian Pools? Tahitian Firelights is a leading-edge product that adds elegance and beauty to your pool. These flames can be added to your waterfalls, fire rings, or decorative pot features. Add a bit of enchantment to your evening. The dancing flames are a delight to guests, special events, or that romantic evening.

Well Viewers, We enjoyed being with you today. Stay tuned for more of Poolcare 101, brought to you by Tahitian Pools and Spas.

Remember…BE WATER-WISE…..ALWAYS SUPERVISE
(480) 699-8926. • www.poolcare101.com • info@poolcare101.com

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